Only a Handful of Falcons and Bills on This Week’s Injury Report

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One of the best parts about having a Thursday night game is that the following week you have extra time to recover from any nagging injuries. For the Falcons, it definitely shows as only half a dozen players are currently listed on this week’s injury report.

The even better news is that none of the players are listed either as out or doubtful. Five of the players are on the defensive side of the ball. Exactly half of the players are starters and one of the backups is a third-stringer.

Starting tight end Tony Gonzalez (toe) is the lone offensive player on the list this week. Gonzalez was limited in practice all three days this week. He status is listed as questionable. If Gonzalez cannot play, expect Chase Coffman and Levine Toilolo to share the tight end duties.

(Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Starting right cornerback Desmond Trufant (thigh) is the only player is listed as probable this week. Trufant was limited in practice Wednesday but was able to fully participate in practice Thanksgiving Thursday and Black Friday. If Trufant cannot play, expect Robert McClain to fill in for him.

Outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (shoulder/knee) is the other defensive starter on the injury report this week. ‘Spoon was limited in practice on Wednesday, back to full participation on Thursday, but then regressed to limited participation on Friday. ‘Spoon is listed as questionable. Stephen Nichols is listed as Weatherspoon’s backup on the depth chart.

The final three defensive players listed are all backups: middle linebacker Akeem Dent (ankle), defensive end Malliciah Goodman (calf) and strong safety Zeke Motta (hand). All three men were limited in practice throughout the entire week and the trio are all listed as questionable.

Just like the Falcons, the Bills are relatively healthy coming into this Week 13 contest. Only four Bills are listed with two on offense and two on defensive. One player on each side of the ball is a starter.

The two defensive players listed for Buffalo are backup cornerback Nickell Robey (ankle) and starting defensive lineman Kyle Williams (back). Robey was able to practice fully all three days this week and is listed as probable. Williams was not put on the list until Friday, when he was unable to practice at all. He is listed as questionable.

On offense, wide receiver Stevie Johnson (groin) is listed as probable. In the unlikely event that he will miss this game, because he was able to fully participate in all three practices this week, his backup might not be Robert Woods (ankle) who is the other offensive BIll on the list. Just like Johnson, Woods was able to practice the entire week and is listed as

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 pm EST.

For reference:

Probable: a 75% chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game

Questionable: a 50% chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game

Doubtful: a 25% chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game

Out: there is no chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game

Matthew Asher is a freelance journalist. From an early age, sports have played a major role in his life. He graduated from Emory University with a B.A. in Journalism. After college he spent 2 years working with CNN Sports and still occasionally writes sports articles for several publications both in the United States and Canada. His work can be found on Examiner.com.